Latest news with #Relax
The Herald Scotland
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
Review: Holly Johnson at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall
Backed by a tight band, including keyboardist and backing vocalist Daisy May Khan – at 21, quite possibly the youngest person in the room – and led by a guitarist in David D'Andrade who clearly saw himself as part of the spectacle (never has the slicking back of hair looked more performative), Johnson gave us what was in effect an extended Rewind Festival set; a run-through of the hits and the best-of-the-rest tunes from his band days and his solo career – stretching from the mid-1980s to the start of the 1990s – concentrating, inevitably, on that fierce hot moment in 1984 – a moment that stretched out through the whole year – when Frankie Goes to Hollywood were the biggest band in the country. (The band's debut single Relax remains the sixth-best-selling UK single of all time, despite the fact that it was banned on Radio 1. Or more likely because of it.) Johnson came dressed for the party, in black leather jacket and black leather kilt which showed off his knobbly knees. Inevitably at one point he threatened to lift it up to show what was underneath. Read more: But then Johnson's personality has always been an endearing mixture of the sweet and the salty. This evening he reminded us of a story he has told before; that of his first visit to Glasgow when he 'shagged a postman'. Loucheness was always part of the appeal. Nostalgia doesn't really do surprise and so there were no real departures in the set list. It stuck pretty rigidly to the Frankie era and Johnson's early solo records, though there was the odd Frankie deep cut, like Happy Hi!, the B side of Welcome to the Pleasuredome which probably should have been left there. And it's fair to say that, ultimately, Johnson's songbook is a relatively slim one. There were a few longueurs between the sugar high of his more familiar songs. It's also true that the accompanying visuals were pretty basic, pretty budget, and at times frankly rather twee. Maybe only the half-naked musclemen dancing along on the screen to Relax seemed of a piece with the music. But in the end this show had two big advantages. The first was Johnson's voice. Back in 2019 Trevor Horn – Frankie Goes to Hollywood's producer and Johnson's bete noire – played the same venue with a crack cadre of session musicians and singers, singing some of the same songs. But when they did essay Frankie classics what was clearly, painfully, missing was the texture of Johnson's voice and his explosive vocalisations (that throaty 'huuh' at the, ahem, climax of Relax). Because, the truth is, Johnson was as essential to those Frankie records as the Fairlight sampler. And, it has to be said, the big tunes played tonight – Pleasuredome, Relax, Two Tribes – are frankly indestructible; epic confections of pop, full of sex and horror and the perfume of youth. They remain so all these years on. The evening inevitably ended with a performance of The Power of Love, Frankie's shot at a Christmas number one (seen off by Band Aid's Do They Know it's Christmas) and Johnson's favourite song. Certainly his best shot at posterity. 'We always say it's not for Christmas, it's for life,' Johnson, now wearing a crown and a sparkly jacket, reminded us. Time for the glitterball and a few minutes revelling in the sweet sadness of time passing. In the end we are our memories. As Holly says, make love your goal.
Perth Now
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Frankie Goes To Hollywood's Holly Johnson on Relax beating Queen's Radio Ga Ga to No.1: 'Poor Freddie'
Frankie Goes To Hollywood's Holly Johnson believes the late Freddie Mercury would have been miffed about Relax beating Queen's Radio Ga Ga to No.1. Relax only entered the UK Top 75 singles chart in November 1983 and made its way into the Top 40 in January 1984. Three weeks later it topped the chart, replacing Paul McCartney's Pipes of Peace. Holly admits the chart defeat probably felt "like a knife through the heart for poor" Queen frontman Freddie. Taking part in NME's Does Rock 'N' Roll Kill Braincells?! quiz, he recalled of '80s: 'It was highly competitive, and no one liked being usurped in the charts or magazine covers, because it was all considered so important. The fact that 'Relax' kept Queen's 'Radio Ga Ga' off Number One must have been like a knife through the heart for poor Freddie [Mercury], because no one had heard of us the week before.' Holly confessed that he and Freddie were never that close but they crossed paths at gay bars regularly. Asked if he ever discussed the chart battle with the Bohemian Rhapsody hitmaker, he said: 'No, we exchanged looks in gay bars – but they were friendly looks! I was shy and would go to gay bars on my own, so I wouldn't approach Freddie with his entourage. We weren't best mates, put it that way. We smiled at each other, though.' Elsewhere, Holly admitted it's unlikely that a full brand reunion will take place after Frankie Goes To Hollywood reunited to perform their 1984 song Welcome to the Pleasuredome at the opening ceremony of the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest in their home city of Liverpool. The singer said of the one-off reunion: 'The lead-up was exhausting. The preamble between Universal Records, who bought the Frankie and ZTT label, and the amount of emails that went on was ridiculous. When I actually got into the rehearsal room with the band, everything was fine. It was like it had been all those years ago, and Mark [O'Toole] and Paul [Rutherford] did their 'Ooh-ahhs' [backing vocals], and I did the vocal of the video version that I'd been performing for 10 years, so it was absolutely fine. It was not 'closure'; it was just good to see everyone and no one was hostile. The Eurovision Song Contest being held in Liverpool seemed a big enough moment for Frankie Goes to Hollywood to turn up.' Asked if they could reform, he replied: 'I can't see it happening. It could have done after that event. Promoters were offering things, but not all the members were on board and that's OK. It's always 'never say never', but we're all getting a bit long in the tooth so it's unlikely.'
Scottish Sun
29-05-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Aldi's new £9.99 candle is said to be a dupe of The White Company's £65 version & there's two scents to choose from
Plus, the shopper-favourite diffusers that are back in the supermarket MAKES SCENTS Aldi's new £9.99 candle is said to be a dupe of The White Company's £65 version & there's two scents to choose from THE White Company candles have racked up a cult following, but they come with a hefty price tag. Thankfully Aldi has released a dupe for the £65 swanky candle - and it only costs £9.99. Advertisement 2 Aldi has dropped a £9.99 candle that's said to be a dupe of a White Company one Credit: Aldi 2 Similar candles from the White Company, with three wicks in a glass jar, cost £65 Credit: the white company Aldi's new Flat Ribbed Hurricane Candle is said to be a luxe-looking home fragrance that has three wicks. It comes in two scents - Pink Rhubarb and Floral Blanc - and is said to burn for up to 64 hours. The fresh Pink Rhubarb fruity scent is said to offer a 'unique combination of tartness and sweetness' and has 'a hint of sugar to invigorate while remaining comforting.' Meanwhile their 'elegant' Floral Blanc features white flowers for a 'clean' scent to make ' every day feel like a special occasion.' Advertisement The 700g candle has a sophisticated ribbed glass design, and according to Aldi 'smells far more expensive than it is.' At £9.99 you'll be saving around £55, representing a saving of 85 per cent. You won't have to wait to get your hands on the replica candle, as it is available in Aldi stores from today, May 29. The White Company dupe isn't the only item arriving in Aldi's home fragrance collection. Advertisement Returning to stores are the supermarket's 'shopper favourite' Revival Candles and Reed Diffusers. The 200g Revival Candle and 100ml Reed Diffuser cost £3.49 and come in three scents: Relax, Serene, and Peace. Aldi is selling a cheap $4.49 item that will transform your garden into a colorful summer paradise The wellness-inspired scents are made from 'eucalyptus and tea' for Serene and 'lavender and sage' for the Peace – which sounds ideal for a calm and cosy summer setup. Meanwhile, their Relax scent is made up of vanilla and rose with 'fresh florals', for a 'romantic and sophisticated' aroma. Advertisement Each scent is encased in a coloured glass, with the candles offering 40 hours of fragrances and the diffusers lasting up to eight weeks. Those looking to update the scents in their homes will need to hurry though, as with all Specialbuys, once they're gone, they're gone! What are the best Aldi beauty dupes? ALDI has become well-known for its affordable beauty dupes that often rival high-end brands in terms of quality and effectiveness. Here are some of the best Aldi beauty dupes that have garnered rave reviews: Lacura Healthy Glow Exfoliating Tonic Dupe for: Pixi Glow Tonic Price: £3.99 (compared to Pixi's £18) Description: This exfoliating tonic contains glycolic acid and works to gently exfoliate and brighten the skin. It's a fantastic, budget-friendly alternative to the popular Pixi Glow Tonic. Lacura Q10 Renew Anti-Wrinkle Day Cream Dupe for: Nivea Q10 Plus Anti-Wrinkle Day Cream Price: £1.45 (compared to Nivea's £10) Lacura Caviar Illumination Day Cream Dupe for: La Prairie Skin Caviar Luxe Cream Price: £6.99 (compared to La Prairie's £292) Lacura Hot Cloth Cleanser Dupe for: Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser Price: £3.99 (compared to Liz Earle's £17.50) Lacura Snapshot Ready Foundation Primer Dupe for: Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer Price: £5.99 (compared to Smashbox's £26) Lacura Miracle Cream Dupe for: Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Price: £3.99 (compared to Elizabeth Arden's £28) Lacura Ebony Rose Face Mask Dupe for: Fresh Rose Face Mask Price: £6.99 (compared to Fresh's £52) Lacura Charcoal Clearing Mudmask Dupe for: GlamGlow Supermud Clearing Treatment Price: £5.99 (compared to GlamGlow's £42) Lacura Velvet Touch Foundation Dupe for: Estée Lauder Double Wear Foundation Price: £5.99 (compared to Estée Lauder's £34) Lacura Tinted Lip Oils Dupe for: Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Tinted Oil Price: £3.99 (compared to Rare Beauty's £20) The White company was founded by Chrissie Rucker in 1994 and began as a 12-page mail-order catalogue from her partner's spare room. As of 2024, The White Company had 70 stores across the United Kingdom.
The Irish Sun
29-05-2025
- Business
- The Irish Sun
Aldi's new £9.99 candle is said to be a dupe of The White Company's £65 version & there's two scents to choose from
THE White Company candles have racked up a cult following, but they come with a hefty price tag. Thankfully Aldi has released a dupe for the £65 swanky candle - and it only costs £9.99. 2 Aldi has dropped a £9.99 candle that's said to be a dupe of a White Company one Credit: Aldi 2 Similar candles from the White Company, with three wicks in a glass jar, cost £65 Credit: the white company Aldi's new Flat Ribbed Hurricane Candle is said to be a luxe-looking home fragrance that has three wicks. It comes in two scents - Pink Rhubarb and Floral Blanc - and is said to burn for up to 64 hours. The fresh Pink Rhubarb fruity scent is said to offer a 'unique combination of tartness and sweetness' and has 'a hint of sugar to invigorate while remaining comforting.' Meanwhile their 'elegant' Floral Blanc features white flowers for a 'clean' scent to make ' every day feel like a special occasion.' More on Aldi The 700g candle has a sophisticated ribbed glass design, and according to Aldi 'smells far more expensive than it is.' At £9.99 you'll be saving around £55, representing a saving of 85 per cent. You won't have to wait to get your hands on the replica candle, as it is available in Aldi stores from today, May 29. The White Company dupe isn't the only item arriving in Aldi's home fragrance collection. Most read in Fabulous Returning to stores are the supermarket's 'shopper favourite' Revival Candles and Reed Diffusers. The 200g Revival Candle and 100ml Reed Diffuser cost £3.49 and come in three scents: Relax, Serene, and Peace. Aldi is selling a cheap $4.49 item that will transform your garden into a colorful summer paradise The wellness-inspired scents are made from 'eucalyptus and tea' for Serene and 'lavender and sage' for the Peace – which sounds ideal for a calm and cosy summer setup. Meanwhile, their Relax scent is made up of vanilla and rose with 'fresh florals', for a 'romantic and sophisticated' aroma. Each scent is encased in a coloured glass, with the candles offering 40 hours of fragrances and the diffusers lasting up to eight weeks. Those looking to update the scents in their homes will need to hurry though, as with all Specialbuys, once they're gone, they're gone! What are the best Aldi beauty dupes? ALDI has become well-known for its affordable beauty dupes that often rival high-end brands in terms of quality and effectiveness. Here are some of the best Aldi beauty dupes that have garnered rave reviews: Lacura Healthy Glow Exfoliating Tonic Dupe for: Pixi Glow Tonic Price: £3.99 (compared to Pixi's £18) Description: This exfoliating tonic contains glycolic acid and works to gently exfoliate and brighten the skin. It's a fantastic, budget-friendly alternative to the popular Pixi Glow Tonic. Lacura Q10 Renew Anti-Wrinkle Day Cream Dupe for: Nivea Q10 Plus Anti-Wrinkle Day Cream Price: £1.45 (compared to Nivea's £10) Lacura Caviar Illumination Day Cream Dupe for: La Prairie Skin Caviar Luxe Cream Price: £6.99 (compared to La Prairie's £292) Lacura Hot Cloth Cleanser Dupe for: Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser Price: £3.99 (compared to Liz Earle's £17.50) Lacura Snapshot Ready Foundation Primer Dupe for: Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer Price: £5.99 (compared to Smashbox's £26) Lacura Miracle Cream Dupe for: Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Price: £3.99 (compared to Elizabeth Arden's £28) Lacura Ebony Rose Face Mask Dupe for: Fresh Rose Face Mask Price: £6.99 (compared to Fresh's £52) Lacura Charcoal Clearing Mudmask Dupe for: GlamGlow Supermud Clearing Treatment Price: £5.99 (compared to GlamGlow's £42) Lacura Velvet Touch Foundation Dupe for: Estée Lauder Double Wear Foundation Price: £5.99 (compared to Estée Lauder's £34) Lacura Tinted Lip Oils Dupe for: Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Tinted Oil Price: £3.99 (compared to Rare Beauty's £20) The White company was founded by Chrissie Rucker in 1994 and began as a 12-page mail-order catalogue from her partner's spare room. As of 2024, The White Company had 70 stores across the United Kingdom .
Perth Now
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Holly Johnson 'felt there was homophobia involved' in Relax banning
Holly Johnson "felt there was homophobia" involved after the BBC temporarily banned 'Relax'. The Frankie Goes to Hollywood frontman believes it was "a bit of a storm in a teacup" when the then-BBC Radio 1 DJ Mike Read branded the lyrics of the gay anthem as scandalous. The corporation then banned the song from playing on the radio and TV for a few weeks in early 1984, before eventually lifting the censorship as the track rose to number one on the UK Singles Chart, where it stayed for five weeks. Holly, 65, told The i newspaper: "I felt there was homophobia involved, and they let their imaginations run wild with themselves thinking, because I'm gay, 'It's all about gay sex, and we can't have that.' "There's no reference to gay sex, really, in the record." Holly believes the situation was totally overblown by the BBC. The music star said: "I thought it was a bit of a storm in a teacup." 'Relax' was a massive hit, and the band - formed of Holly, Paul Rutherford, Mark O'Toole, Brian Nash and Peter Gill - continued their success with the release of 'Two Tribes' later in 1984. The track spent nine weeks at number one in the UK Singles Chart, and the group's feet "didn't touch the ground" with the constant touring and TV interview appearances. But looking back at that time, Holly thinks there was "no consideration" for the boys' "physical and mental health". The star - who quit Frankie Goes to Hollywood in 1987 - admitted: "There was no consideration for our physical and mental health. "It was just, 'Get those boys over there. Sell, sell, sell.'" Frankie Goes to Hollywood reunited and sang their 1984 song 'Welcome to the Pleasuredome' at the opening ceremony of the Eurovision Song Contest in their hometown of Liverpool in 2023 - but Holly has cast doubt on whether there will be a full get-together in the future. He said: "I entertained the idea for a while after, but it seems to have gone away now."
